BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 is finally here. And I’m impressed.
Here are the new features (but not limited to):
- Built-in email, calendar and contacts
FINALLY! And what’s more, it supports Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, Gmail, Hotmail, IMAP, POP, CalDAV, CardDAV - Unified inbox
Same with what you get from your BlackBerry devices, you can add Facebook chat, Twitter, and LinkedIn into your inbox too. Not a big fan, because I rather have a better Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn app. - Social Integration in Calendar & Contacts
Contact cards are dynamically populated with the latest real-time information from your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. Sounds very much like Windows Phone 7. - BlackBerry Bridge remote controlling your BlackBerry PlayBook using your BlackBerry smartphone
Don’t know why, but this is mainly for presentations since the BlackBerry PlayBook supports HDMI output. - Open On
Now you can open your documents, photos and links from your BlackBerry smartphone onto your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet with one click. Convenient for a larger screen device, but I don’t see myself using this much. - New Home Screen
They cleaned up the home screen dramatically, but simplifying rather than over-complicating. Gone are the “grouping” of your icons. Now they’ve introduced folders. - Hopefully bug fixes to the many problems I was having with the BlackBerry PlayBook
To update, you can go to settings -> Software Updates -> Check for Updates instead of waiting for the update notification.
BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 brings a new lease of life to your previously useless PlayBook. Time to clean the dust off and update your PlayBooks!